Your Guide to Summer Festivals & Events in Canmore

Summer in the Canadian Rockies means a couple of things: The sun’s out late into the evening, the temperatures are hot and there are festivals and events in Canmore that need to be attended. 

From music to art to local markets, summer in Canmore is a fun and busy time where life moves just a little bit slower and everyone has a smile on their face. Whatever your interests, visiting the Bow Valley in the summer guarantees that there will be festivals and events in Canmore that will leave you feeling happy and refreshed.

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is right in the middle of all the action, and staying with us makes it easy and convenient to take in everything that the summer events in Canmore have to offer.

Events in Canmore You Can’t Miss This Summer

Winter in the Rocky Mountains is incredible, but the summer is when they come alive. There are events in Canmore every weekend that attract visitors from across Canada and the world. Here are a few of our favourites:

Canmore Mountain Market

When: Thursdays from May 22 to October 2

If you’re thinking of things to do in Canmore, the Canmore Mountain Market should absolutely be near the top of your list. The delightful market is a destination for locals looking for fresh produce from nearby farms, but also for visitors wanting to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists and artisans.

The market often has more than 70 vendors, and the weekly meet-ups can make every Thursday feel like an event in Canmore. With jewelry, crafts, clothing and more up for sale, the Canmore Mountain Market is an opportunity to shop like the locals do. Because it’s located downtown, a trip to the market can be paired with an afternoon spent shopping at the amazing boutiques and craft stores just a few short minutes from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

Canada Day

When: July 1

Canada Day is one of the best days of the year, and there are lots of events in Canmore to celebrate. The Canmore Nordic Ski Club hosts an annual Fun Run and Walk in the morning, while the Rotary Club of Canmore has a Canada Day Breakfast at Centennial Park. The big highlight is the Canada Day Parade, which weaves through downtown starting at noon and features lots of opportunities for family-friendly fun.

Runs & Races 

We can’t talk about festivals and events in Canmore without mentioning that it’s an extremely active town and a destination for outdoor sport enthusiasts from all over the world. That means there are races, runs and everything in between throughout the summer, and they bring out an incredible community of fitness-focused people.

• The 5 Peaks Trail Running Series on June 7th features hard hill climbs and lots of elevation gains.
• The Canmore MTB Classic on June 11th-14th is one of the area’s biggest mountain biking events and also features beer gardens, food trucks and market-style vendors.
• The Canmore Revolver on July 13th pushes contestants to see how far they can go in five hours.
•  The Relentless 24 is a super-challenging 24-hour endurance race on June 21st to 22nd.

Canmore Folk Festival

When: August 2-4

Alberta’s longest-running folk music festival draws thousands of people to the idyllic mountain town every year for live performances in a gorgeous setting with incredible views. The annual festival is one of the year's highlights in the Bow Valley, with more than two dozen musicians performing. It’s the can’t-miss Canmore event of the summer.

The eclectic lineup features Alberta favourites like Corb Lund, Chad VanGaalen and the Denim Daddies, as well as nationally acclaimed artists like Dominique Fils-Aime and Nicolette and the Nobodies. It’s a true representation of Canada’s vibrant arts and music scene, and the venue at Centennial Park is only a short walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

Canmore Highland Games

When: August 30-31 

This annual celebration of Celtic culture is one of the most anticipated annual events in Canmore and is a perfect introduction to how much fun highland games can be. There really is something for everyone, as the Canmore Highland Games feature traditional Heavy Highland Sports Contests like hammer throws and caber tosses, highland dance competitions and piping and drumming events.

There is also the Taste of the Highlands, an evening of wines, whiskeys, meads and ales from some of the world’s most celebrated producers. When people think about Canmore events, the Highland Games almost always come up because they provide a great mix of family fun with culture that adults can enjoy on their own, too.

Stay Close to the Action

Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre means you’ve got a comfortable, friendly and conveniently-located home base for whatever events in Canmore you’re looking to attend. Our pet-friendly hotel is just a few short minutes from downtown Canmore and provides easy access to shops, restaurants and much more.

We also have some amazing deals available this summer to make your stay more affordable throughout the busy event season. Alberta residents can save up to 25% on their stays, while booking 21 days in advance will also give you a 25% discount.

Your Perfect Rocky Mountain Homebase

From Canmore music festivals to races that will push the best athletes to their limit, there are so many amazing events in Canmore throughout the summer.

With so much going on, the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is the best place in town to rest up while you enjoy everything Canmore has to offer. It’s conveniently located, dog-friendly, has an indoor pool and hot tub and is home to one of Canmore’s best restaurants, TABLE Food + Drink.

To book your stay with us today, call us at (800)716-6199 or book online.